I found this lovely little porcelain statue of Kwan Yin about 20 years ago in an Edmonton second-hand store, with a small tag affixed which said "Chinese Lady $10." Clearly she went unrecognized in that store! For Pride month, Kwan Yin sits on a transgender flag altar cloth, flanked by two white lotus candle holders.
Why is Kwan Yin the perfect Goddess to represent those who are non-binary, gender fluid or transgender?
Centuries ago, Kwan Yin originated in India as a male deity and was brought to China in that form. Ancient representations of Kwan Yin often include a pencil-thin moustache and a small goatee. But because compassion and mercy were categorized as "feminine" virtues, portrayals of Kwan Yin got progressively effeminate over time as artists tried to capture that essence in their work. During the Song Dynasty (1000-1200 C.E.), Chinese artists turned Kwan Yin into a woman once and for all.
So today Kwan Yin is a willowy figure in a flowing white dress and veil, with the hairdo and jewelry of a beautiful woman. But, in recognition of her male origins, she is always portrayed as completely flat-chested. Unlike virtually every other representation of the Divine Feminine, there are no big breasts for Kwan Yin! She is the most androgynous of all spiritual beings.
Kwan Yin's journey from one gender to the other mirrors the transgender/non-binary journey that so many people undertake today. Taking our cue from Kwan Yin, mercy and compassion should always be our response to that most profound of all transformations. It is quite literally a divine journey.
[First two photos © Debra She Who Seeks, June 2021; Third image is from the internet.]
How interesting, stay calm and sweet
ReplyDeleteHello Debra, In addition to her characteristic attire and the bottle or vase you discussed, Kwan Yin (or Guan Yin) can have a number of other attributes, including a white bird, one or two children, a canopy, and is often seated on a lotus flower, dragon, or turtle. Your china figure is especially delicate and charming.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Lovely! I'd say Kwan Yin is the Goddess of Compassion was the perfect choice for the month of Pride. I love that your doing and sharing this each month.
ReplyDeleteFor someone who weeps for the suffering of the world, which is generally soul crushing, she looks pretty happy and serene.
ReplyDeleteThat figurine is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating. Thanks! You have the most beautiful pieces of meaningful art. I love that Kwan Yin is sitting on the transgender flag! This warmed my heart.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and very interesting too.
ReplyDeleteLove this altar!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the colors of the Trans flag?
Now, this jumped to me, though:
"But because compassion and mercy were categorized as "feminine" virtues, portrayals of Kwan Yin got progressively effeminate over time as artists tried to capture that essence in their work."
Really.
XOXO
@ Sixpence Notthewiser -- Yes, you can see that same feminization of facial features in some Jesus art too, especially if it's from the mid-20th century when gender roles were more rigid and inflexible.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful..Interesting story..Love the figurine..charming..
ReplyDeleteA perfect altar for the June full moon! **Chef's kiss**
ReplyDeleteQuan Yin (spell it how you like, she doesn't care) is at the top of my favorite Goddess list. I have a figure of her in almost every room of my house (minus the bathroom and kitchen!) If I see her likeness at a thrift store I almost always bring her home. Quiet Goddess of Compassion, how needed you are in this angry, tumultuous world!
Sounds like you rescued a little treasure.
ReplyDeleteWonderful story; beautiful altar! Good work ~
ReplyDeleteThis is so fascinating - we need more Kwan-Yins in this world.
ReplyDeletevery interesting. thanks for the enlightenment!
ReplyDeleteInteresting history. You found a bargain.
ReplyDeleteYou always make me think, Debra.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting Goddess and altar! If you ever need a fundraising idea, consider producing a "Full Moon Altar Calendar"!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely figurine. She's much more than a "Chinese lady." Thank you for the information.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I have some Lovely Kwan Yin Antique Statues and I know what she represented, but I didn't know the whole back story about the transition from Male to Female as a Deity, that is fascinating. And yes, very appropriate for the Journey of the transgender/non-binary community, which my Grandson and one of my Granddaughters are a part of.
ReplyDeleteI love your altar Deb! Thank you for telling us about Kwan Yin. I never knew this! Such an interesting and beautiful post! Big Hugs!
ReplyDelete@ Bohemian -- I'm glad your grandkids have such a loving and supportive grandmother in you! I suspect many grandparents these days are dealing with trans/non-binary and genderfluid issues with their grandkids. MANY.
ReplyDeleteI have a darkening computer screen at the moment, but this goddess's message just lights it up!
ReplyDeleteI love this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love her and her transition is something to behold. Don't you wish we had MANY more of those vases of the healing balm of compassion? The world needs to bathe in it.
ReplyDeleteLovely - figurine and explanation. But she might need a larger vase as she weeps for the suffering in our current world.
ReplyDeleteFascinating!
ReplyDeleteHello my friend, I loved reading and learning about Kwan Yin. Thanks for that. I can never understand why people can not be seen as people, with their DNA mixes (all so varied) of both male and female traits. I have always believed that the person, the character and soul of anyone, is important, now the patterns of their genes. I feel the same way about all the ethnicities too. XXX
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting history behind this goddess transforming from male to female!
ReplyDeleteThank you. That is a nice altar. I appreciate what you said .
ReplyDeleteShe is grateful that you rescued her from the shop where she was known as "a Chinese lady."
ReplyDeleteThank you, I learned a lot from this post. I knew none of it before. The stuff I learn in here!
ReplyDeleteCan you do something for us? Can you go search for that famous song? Oti mi plaches bubaiko? It is on YouTube and it is in Bulgarian but our friend Boyan Dobrev posted it a few years ago. Oti Mi Plaches Bubaiko.
ReplyDelete@ Richard -- Yes, here is the link to the song you mention. Sorry I don't know how to hyperlink it in a comment, but you can just copy & paste the url into your browser and get to it that way --
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/9cFaS_utkLc
@ Richard -- I'm not sure if the url link is what you want or whether you would like to see the video posted on my blog (if you cannot access YouTube directly). If the link isn't what you are after, please clarify, okay?
ReplyDeleteI love Kwan Yin, and I never knew that she started life as a male! How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteFor me the 24th is and always will be our Fête nationale/la Saint-Jean-Baptiste. And, this year, the night when the Habs eliminated the Golden Knights and earned for the first time in 28 years their place in the Stanley cup finale.
ReplyDeleteThis is really fascinating! I had no idea what her story was!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely story!
ReplyDeleteI plan on learning more about this deity.
That's pretty cool
ReplyDeleteoh i loved this one sooo much dear Debra !
ReplyDeletehow amazing you could take care of this lovely and graceful statue for twenty years wow !
her story is heartwarming and her qualities are most powerful characteristics of Creator i believe
thank you for touching post friend!